In a somewhat surprising move, the team is looking to retain the services of their special teams coordinator.

According to Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Vikings are reportedly working to re-sign the special teams coach to an extension. Just like the contract of interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, Priefer’s deal is set to expire on Tuesday.

Source tells me @Vikings are working to re-sign special teams coach Mike Priefer, whose contract is expiring. Team is exploring other options in case it doesn't happen.

The 52 year-old has had quite the tumultuous tenure as the Vikings special teams coach. Priefer was hired by the Vikings in 2011 under head coach Leslie Frazier. Since then, he was suspended for three games in 2014 after former punter Chris Kluwe reported his use of controversial slurs. He was then responsible for filling in for Mike Zimmer as the team’s head coach in Week 13 of 2016 when Zimmer had to undergo an emergency eye operation.

While the former Navy quarterback and wide receiver stresses stability and consistency in his coaching, kickers under his tutelage have been anything but dependable during his time with the Vikings. Here’s how the team’s kickers have performed under Priefer since 2011, per Pro Football Reference:

Year

Player

FG%

Ranking

XP%

Ranking

2011

Ryan Longwell

78.6

24th

97.4

30th

2012

Blair Walsh

92.1

4th

100

T-1st

2013

Blair Walsh

86.7

19th

97.7

30th

2014

Blair Walsh

74.3

32nd

100

T-1st

2015

Blair Walsh

87.2

13th

89.2

27th

2016

Blair Walsh

75

32nd

78.9

34th

2016

Kai Forbath

100

1st

78.6

35th

2017

Kai Forbath

84.2

17th

87.2

28th

2018

Daniel Carlson

25

Last

100

T-1st

2018

Dan Bailey

75

31st

96.8

11th

Even though kickers have struggled throughout the Priefer era, the rest of the special teams units have not. Take a look at the team’s special teams rankings since 2013 per Pro Football Focus. Keep in mind Nick Olson’s tweet was from early December. The Vikings special teams ranked third by season’s end.

Team officials clearly think highly enough of Priefer to work with him on a new deal. Wednesday’s report noted that the Vikings will explore other options in case an extension is not reached. But as of now, it certainly looks as though Priefer will return as the team’s special teams coordinator in 2019.

Sean Borman is a writer with Minnesota roots that's still somehow an optimist. He was an intern with the Vikings during college and previously wrote for Rant Sports. You can find Sean on the golf course and on Twitter @SeanBoarMan.

One Comment

I was hoping that they would replace him but I guess you have to have talent to work with to prove you bad or good~I’m guessing that they seen more of what goes on and have a better idea of his talents~

This is the last year of Zimmer and Spielman’s contracts~They would be crazy not to try and get the best coaches they can around them ~ They must see something I don’t~ So I will give them that~